Lewis Smashes Records Delivers Masterclass in Switzerland
IslandStats.com
Bermudian Paralympian Jessica Lewis has enjoyed a landmark day at the Daniela Jutzeler Memorial in Switzerland, shattering her own record and setting two new personal bests on the track.
Competing against a world-class field on a wet track, Lewis proved she is in the form of her life, delivering a pair of podium finishes that underscore her standing as one of the premier T53 sprinters on the planet.
The highlight of the meet came in the T53 Women's 100m. In a blistering display of explosive power, Lewis stopped the clock at 16.02 seconds. The time did more than just secure a second-place finish; it marked a new Personal Best and officially broke her own Para Pan American Record.
The race was claimed by Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner, who utilized home-track advantage to clock a winning time of 15.76.
Lewis carried that momentum directly into the T53 Women's 400m. Displaying remarkable tactical endurance, she crossed the line in 56.43 seconds, shaving more time off her previous best. Again, she found herself in a high-speed duel with Debrunner, who took the win in 51.07.
Reflecting on her dominant display in Switzerland, Lewis was buoyant about her current trajectory.
"It was a great day of races in Switzerland today," Lewis stated. "Two PBs and broke my Americas record in the 100."
The performances serve as a significant statement of intent as Lewis continues her international campaign, with her record-breaking pace suggesting there may be even more to come this season.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Reciprocal Deal Brings International Action to the Stadium
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Football Association announced Bermuda’s senior women ranked 141st in the FIFA Rankings will welcome FIFA Ranked 186th Belize to the Flora Duffy South Field this June, as the two nations reignite a rivalry that saw them trade blows in Central America two years ago.
Bermuda fans will have clear memories of the last time these two sides met. In July 2024, Bermuda traveled to the FFB Stadium in Belmopan for a high-stakes double-header. The series proved to be a balanced affair; Belize took the spoils in the opening encounter, but Bermuda showed immense character to bounce back and claim a victory in the second match.
That trip offered vital international exposure for a growing squad, and now, under a reciprocal agreement with the Football Federation of Belize, the "home" leg of this international narrative is set to unfold in Devonshire.
The upcoming fixtures will see a familiar yet evolved coaching setup. Karl Roberts and Calvin Dill have been confirmed to oversee the matches, stepping up after serving as long-term assistants to former head coach Naquita Robinson.
For Dill, the appointment is a continuation of a storied family legacy at the National Sports Centre, while Roberts remains a consistent tactical presence for the national program. The duo will be looking to build on the foundations laid during the 2024 tour, with a squad reportedly "anxious" to showcase their development in front of a home crowd.
The BFA has confirmed that both fixtures will be held under the lights at the Flora Duffy South Field, with the association calling on fans to turn out in force to support the team’s quest for a series sweep.
Match 1: June 4th, 2026 Match 2: June 7th, 2026 Kick-off: 7:00 PM (Both matches) Venue: Flora Duffy South Field, National Sports Centre Tickets: Available now via GPASS.bm
With the team aiming for two wins from two, the June window represents a critical opportunity for the senior women to solidify their standing in the region. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or a newcomer to the international game, the BFA is urging the island to come out in droves and provide the "twelfth man" advantage.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
DeSilva-Andrade Remains Defiant After Pool Play Exit
IslandStats.com
The Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup has concluded in challenging fashion for Bermuda’s Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, as the 2025 Female Athlete of the Year suffered a third consecutive defeat to bring her individual campaign to a close.
Competing in her final fixture of BC1 Women's Pool A, the world number seven faced off against Japan’s Hiromi Endo. Despite moments of tactical brilliance that have become her trademark, DeSilva-Andrade was unable to disrupt the clinical rhythm of her opponent, ultimately falling to a 7-2 defeat.
The result followed a consistent but frustrating pattern for the Bermudian star in Quebec; she managed to register exactly two points in each of her three pool matches, but found herself on the wrong side of the scoreline against elite opposition from the Czech Republic, Israel, and finally Japan.
Despite the mounting results against her, DeSilva-Andrade remained remarkably composed and positive when reflecting on her performance at the Maurice Richard Arena.
"So today I played my last game of this tournament," she said. "No, it wasn’t the result I wanted, but it was a great game nonetheless. I pushed my opponent just as hard as she pushed me. I went into the match with good spirits and ended the same way. I really enjoyed this game and I am so proud of myself."
The exit marks a rare stumbling block for DeSilva-Andrade, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the world rankings over the last 12 months. While she leaves Montreal without a win in the individual division, her resilience under pressure and high level of self-belief suggest that the "clinical" form which earned her national honours is likely to return as she shifts her focus to the next international window.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
DeSilva-Andrade’s Knockout Hopes Dim After Narrow Defeat
IslandStats.com
The Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup continues to be a test of resilience for Bermuda’s Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, as the 2025 Female Athlete of the Year suffered her second consecutive defeat in a tense Pool A encounter.
Facing off against Israel’s Orit Kelner, the world number seven was desperate to kickstart her tournament following an opening-day loss to the Czech Republic. However, in a match defined by tactical patience and razor-thin margins, it was Kelner who held her nerve to secure a 3-2 victory.
The match was a far tighter affair than DeSilva-Andrade's opener, with the Bermudian showcasing the precision that saw her climb into the world's elite top ten over the last twelve months. Despite trailing early, she mounted a late comeback to pull within a single point, but Kelner managed to obstruct the "jack" effectively in the final end to deny DeSilva-Andrade the equalizer.
DeSilva-Andrade said, “Unfortunately I lost my second match today 3-2 against Israel. It wasn’t the result I wanted but it was a very tight game. There was so much improvement for me in that game. Even though I didn’t win that game I’m extremely proud of myself. I have my final pool game tomorrow against Japan.”
The result leaves the Bermudian star at the bottom of BC1 Female Pool A and facing a nearly impossible task to reach the knockout stages. With only the top performers advancing, her final pool match against Japan’s Hiromi Endo now becomes a matter of pride and ranking points.
For DeSilva-Andrade, Quebec has so far proven a difficult hunting ground, but the narrow nature of this latest defeat suggests the clinical form that won her national honours is not far from returning.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Tough Opening for DeSilva-Andrade as World Cup Begins
IslandStats.com
The Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup is officially under way, but it has proven to be a challenging start for Bermuda’s 2025 Female Athlete of the Year, Yushae DeSilva-Andrade.
Opening her campaign in BC1 Female Pool A, DeSilva-Andrade entered the arena as a pre-tournament favourite. Currently ranked 7th in the world in her division, the Bermudian standout faced off against Simona Blazkova of the Czech Republic, who occupies the 17th spot in the global rankings.
Despite her higher seeding, DeSilva-Andrade struggled to find her usual clinical rhythm in the opening exchange. Blazkova delivered a disciplined performance, consistently placing pressure on the Bermudian and ultimately securing a decisive 6-2 victory.
The defeat leaves DeSilva-Andrade with work to do in a competitive Pool A, which also features Japan’s Hiromi Endo and Israel’s Orit Kelner.
DeSilva-Andrade posted on social media, “Unfortunately I lost my first match today 6-2 against Czech Republic. It wasn’t the result I wanted but hey, you win some you lose some that’s the nature of the game. I’m still in it tho, I play my second game tomorrow against Israel.”
For the Bermudian star, the focus now shifts immediately to her remaining pool fixtures as she looks to recover her form and secure a pathway into the knockout stages. With a season defined by her rise into the world's elite top ten, all eyes will be on how she responds to this early setback in Quebec.
